Monument Type(s):

• GRANGE (13th century to Early 20th century (pre-war) - 1200 AD to 1913 AD)
• HOUSE (16th century to Post Medieval - 1500 AD to 1901 AD)

Summary

A mainly 16th century house, formerly a grange, with 13th century fabric, which is protected by Grade II* Listing.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA1203 - 1977 building survey by the NMR
• ESA1204 - 1978-1979 Survey and Excavations at Madeley Court by Bob Meeson for TDC
• ESA1205 - 1987 excavation and recording by BUFAU at Madeley Court on behalf of English Heritage
• ESA1206 - 1971 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA1207 - 1975 field observation by the Ordnance Survey
• ESA1208 - 1986 field observation by English Heritage
• ESA6358 - 1979-80 Site visit at Madley Court by Salford University Student

Description

Madeley Court, formerly a place of some splendour, is now deserted and falling into decay, with the exception of the Elizabethan south wing which is partially occupied as a private residence. The Gatehouse is in a derelict state and is overgrown. The sundial is as described. A waterfilled fishpond to the north-east is embayed at the south-east end; it has a modern conduit. The pond to the north-west is a modern reservoir.<1a>

Mainly C16 with traces of C13 fabric. Built as grange to Wenlock Priory. At the Dissolution bought in 1553 by Sir Robert Brooke, Speaker in the House of Commons, and stayed in the Brooke family until early C19. Tenanted by Abraham Darby I from 1709 until his death. Large ashlar house, at time of survey (1980) being restored. Tiled roofs with gables with parapet coping. Large brick shafted chimney stacks. Two-storeys and attics. L-shaped on plan, originally on west wing as well. The north-west hall range extensively rebuilt. Gabled stone attic windows with finials. Large stone mullion transom windows with dripmoulds. Early C17 stone porch to right hand of hall range with moulded round arch and ornate gables with volutes, pediments and strapwork foliage decoration. The east wing contains large C16 timber newel staircase and rooms with bolection moulded panelling and chimney piece <2>

The house is basically an E/W medieval hall with a basement and tall windows at the E end, probably of the mid C13. A N/S two storey range, probably containing a parlour and chambers was added to the E end soon afterwards. The western range, with a possible chapel on the first floor, was also added. In the C16 and C17 extensive internal modifications were made probably by John Brooke, (d1598) and his son Basil (d1646). A porch was added on the south, the interiors were refloored and the N /S wing extended <3>

Interim account of excavations and building surveys. Archaeological excavation and a complete, detailed survey of the buildings, was undertaken in 1978-9. In the first season the foundations of a substantial stone hall, possibly 13th century, were uncovered. A Jacobean range was eventually built over the site of that structure and subsequently demolished. There was a major, intervening, structural phase when another stone building was rerected on the site adjacent to that of the early hall and after the hall was demolished. This structure was raised at an awkward angle on an east-west axis, suggesting it was a religious building. North-east of the early hall is a substantial range which probably replaced the first hall. It is possible that the site was occupied by a 13th century priory grange which needed more substantial accommodation at an early date. A further addition was made to the east end of the hall range and it was also extended to the west at an unknown date. Following the Dissolution, the complex was converted for residential use. An Elizabethan porch was built on the south side of the hall range, and may occupy the site of a former tower. The unique twin-towered gatehouse is also Elizabethan. Only one of three substantial Jacobean ranges now survive. <4><5><6>

As a result of Meeson's and Moffett's excavations and structural surveys, much is now known about the early phases of the structural development of the site. A free standing building was constructed in the late Norman period, and a detached building was built at right angles to this in the first half of the C13, to which a kitchen wing and chamber were added in the C14. There were further extensions to that range in the C15 and a detached chapel was built in the courtyard at that date. With the change of ownership in the C16, the site was redeveloped. The Norman building was demolished, with the exception of one wall which was re-used as one wing of a C-shaped Renaissance building which retained the C13 hall at its core. The post medieval sequence consisted of a period of great expansion from the late C16 to the mid C17, and a period of decline, when the building was partially in use as a brewery in the C18 <10>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, as one of less than 10 Monastic Granges <18>

Excavation and structural survey. Earliest phase of medieval grange shown to be stone structure of late C12th or early C13th, probably associated with fishponds. Later buildings included a cellared hall (13th century), chamber block and kitchen (early 15th), a tower and a chapel <19>

Original excavation in 1978 found much of the evidence noted in [<19>]. <20>

CMHTS Record Sheet <21>
CMHTS Report <22>

Madeley Court was established in the late 12th century or early 13th century as a grange to Wenlock Priory. The grange was enlarged in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, and after the Dissolution, when it was converted into a house, it was substantially altered. A gatehouse was added and walls were built to enclose the garden. At the centre of the garden a sundial was placed. Madeley Court is a Listed Building Grade II*, the gatehouse listed Grade I, the garden walls are listed Grade II and II*, and the sundial is listed Grade II*. ->

-> In 1987 the monument was descheduled in favour of its Listed Building status. Archaeological excavations and a building survey were undertaken prior to its descheduling. <23>

Summary of 1978-1979 excavation. <24>

In 1991 an evaluation of Madeley Court Barn [PRN 15276] took place. The report contains detailed documentary research for the post medieval occupation of the site. It states that Robert Brooke obtained the manor in 1544. It was probably his son John, who inherited in 1572, who rebuilt the two wings and constructed the gatehouse. Basil Brooke, who inherited in 1598, was an industrialist who had a steelworks at Coalbrookdale. <25>

Steelworks referred to in [<25>] may be PRN 12696. <26>

A site visit was undertaken to Madeley Court, c.1979-1980 by a student at the University of Salford, investigating the problems involved in the repair and conservation of country houses. Includes a number of condition photographs and drawings. This also provides an outline history of the repair of the property. <27>

Final report on excavations at Madeley Court. This report includes the two phases of excavation undertaken, in 1978-1979 by Bob Meeson (for TDC) [ESA1204] and in 1987 by Cameron Moffett on behalf of English Heritage (ESA1205). ->

-> The excavations in 1978 and 1979 involved the area excavation of c.300m2 of the courtyard over two seasons, as well as producing measured surveys of considerable portions of the principal standing buildings. Report contains considerable amount of background material and places the results in a wider context. It charts the development of the property from medieval hall to post reformation country house. Appendixes are included on the documentary evidence, the walled garden, the sundial, the colliery, the Madeley Court Placque, madeley Court Stone heads and a 17th-century coin hoard from the Madeley Court Area. <28>

Discussion of building and comparison with Great Oxenbold (PRN 00363).<29>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.